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Obesity is now officially a disease, at least according to the American Medical Association. Despite this recent designation, obesity has long been a killer: 300,000 deaths are attributed to obesity annually. The condition is also associated with an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, breathing problems, arthritis, depression, and many other ailments. Although these deaths and illness are largely preventable, Washington has been slow to take up any large-scale action to combat this epidemic. But now, lawmakers have been moving on ways to fight the obesity epidemic. • The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act sets new standards for fats, sugars and sodium in meals prepared and sold in schools. • The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act aims at providing expanded treatment for obesity to medicaid and medicare beneficiaries. • State governments are setting new standards for physical education, like House Bill 11-1069 in Colorado requiring physical activity for all elementary school children. • A Group of 18 big city mayors sent a letter to the federal government pushing for a ban on the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to buy soda and sugary drinks. • Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued an executive order and proposed 2 laws aimed at increasing visibility and access to stairs in New York City buildings. These measures presented by government officials raise the question: Is it even possible for the government...

Guantanamo detainees on a hunger strike are now being strapped into chairs and gagged as doctors push a feeding tube through their nose into the back of their throat and into their stomach as often as twice a day. It’s a disturbing new practice, but one we must examine in full as we consider whether Guantanamo reflects American values. Anyone who has had a nasogastric tube placed through their throat while awake knows why hospitalized patients often complain about the tube more than they complain about the pain of surgery. The gagging can be extreme even when patients are relaxed and cooperating by swallowing repeatedly during the procedure. Resisting the tube during its insertion, as the unwilling detainees at Guantanamo do, elicits an exacerbated rapid cycle of gasping for air and gagging or vomiting. Why is the U.S. government initiating this new round of forced gagging? It may be simply to save itself from the potential embarrassment if a majority of detainees die on a principled hunger strike. Guantanamo detainees have resorted to desperate measures to call attention to what they and many others view as human rights violations, including the disintegration of due process. A classified memo released in 2011 indicates that military officials were then aware that up to two-thirds of inmates were, at best, “low level” threats and that nearly 20 percent were believed to be “innocent.” Nevertheless, 166 prisoners...

If you have ever wanted to know what a typeface from your favorite scientist would look like, your search has come to an end! This graphic presents the typefaces of some (actually a lot) of the greatest scientists ever. Courtesy of Visua.ly user PrateekLala. Show a science geek! Featured image from vusual.ly |...

The University of Florida Pathology team really takes musical parody to the next level in this video. All we’ve got to say here at AlmostDocs is “damn that’s a good hematologist!” See it for yourself: Although every bored group of coworkers in the country has at one point considered making a Youtube parody, few have pulled it off quite so successfully. In fact, previous UF efforts have yielded less impressive results: Featured image is a screenshot from the first...

This summer has been a hot one, for sure! While it’s great to relax and enjoy the summer heat, now it’s time for all you med students to warm up something else…your brain! This fun crossword puzzle is a fun way to refresh your memory on some valuable med school info so that your return to school (right around the corner) will be as smooth as the waves you were surfing this summer. Click on the links to download and print the crossword puzzle and answer key (two separate links so you don’t take an early peek). Click here for the crossword and clues. Click here for the answer...

NOTE: The Doctor’s Channel editorial staff recently learned that the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, AZ has closed — with a sole location in Las Vegas remaining. Given our previous video on the restaurant, we thought it was time we reflected on some of the questions that arose when we visited there. While it is said that most things are good in moderation, one cardiologist’s hospital-themed restaurant takes indulging to another level. The Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas (and formerly in Chandler, AZ) serves some seriously calorie-laden food; diet cokes are strictly forbidden, the fries are deep fried in pure lard, and the burgers are so big you can barely open your mouth wide enough to take a bite (can you picture what a Quadruple Bypass Burger looks like?). Although the surroundings have a passing resemblance to a health-focused institution, slogans like “Alcohol… It’s good for you” and “Over 350 [pounds]? Eat free!” give the restaurant away as a temple of decadence. While the food may taste fantastic, there could be some flaws in the Heart Attack Grill’s nutritional plan — the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the 9,982-calorie, 3lb Quadruple Bypass as the most caloric burger. And, you’re probably not the only one who finds it troubling that a doctor who has treated many heart attack patients (and inevitably some unsuccessfully) now serves the very food that can lead to...

One Flu Over The Cuckoo’s Nest There’s only one thing I love more than science-based medical gangsta rap—and that’s a good old-fashioned Boy Band! So how could I resist when the Human Resources team at Zappos.com approached me about making a video PSA promoting their free flu shot clinic? I mean, science + music + shoes = WTF? I was in feet-first with both velcro-strapped Keds, yo! Especially when I realized that there was this adorable new Boy Band called One Direction, with a syrupy pop ditty called What Makes You Beautiful. A perfect parody storm! Featured image is a screenshot from video...